Office of the Attorney General provides New Yorkers the tools they need to make informed decisions when it comes to hiring a home improvement contractor. You can search to see which contractors have been subject to legal action, and which contractors have had substantiated consumer complaints filed against them.

Additionally, you can access helpful tips that will assist in selecting a reputable contractor, and links to state and county agencies which offer consumer assistance and the ability to check the status of a contractor’s license. Home improvement professionals can find information on New York’s laws and procedures that govern the industry.

If you are the victim of an unscrupulous contractor, we encourage you to notify our office, just click on the “File a Complaint” link.

So once again, the web comes to the rescue. You can see the link to the site here. There are plenty of reliable and honest contractors, handymen, businesses, and moving services in New York. But it’s nice to know that we have a voice should we wind up with a rotten apple!

Know Your Contractor

Original eloquence at New York Renovator.com. This content is copyrighted, so no stealing! Don't make me angry, you don't want to see me when I'm angry!

Last year, the main reason I decided to do the electrical wiring myself was because we couldn’t find an electrician. It seems like more and more businesses are catering to commercial work, and very few were willing to wire up my living room and bedroom. So, I studied books and did it myself. It was a learning experience, to be sure, but I really would have preferred (and my nerves would have preferred) to hire out the jobs. It was just so difficult finding someone! I called everyone in our phonebook yellow pages, to no avail. The same thing with a plumber and appliance repairman. I have put my foot down– I won’t do the plumbing! But I have no idea where to find a plumber! So I am very, very happy to see a site like ServiceSpider.com.

ServiceSpider.com is a marketplace that connects service buyers and service sellers. Handymen and specialized contractors are available and searchable throughout the United States. What is unique is that you post your service request (it’s free to do so). This request with all its information is displayed in an open marketplace (like an auction) for service providers to see and make bids. It’s helpful to make your request as detailed as possible, to ensure accurate bids. You can post pictures of your mess service request for the providers to see. After you’ve gone through the listing process, ServiceSpider.com sends you a confirmation email and will send updates on the condition of your auction. Interesting! You can also log on to ServiceSpider.com to check for updates. It’s ingenious.

There’s also the opportunity to list yourself and your own business, if you want to be on ServiceSpider.com’s list. I really recommend that, because I can’t find you if you are not there! So check it out. I am thrilled to see stuff like ServiceSpider.com. Like I said, they are growing, so be sure to join if you are interested. They have a terrific Fall promotion going on, too: the first 100 people to post a project on the site will win a $25 gas card; and the first 100 people who complete their home improvement projects will get a $100 home improvement gift card. Nice!

Need to Find a Handyman?

Original eloquence at New York Renovator.com. This content is copyrighted, so no stealing! Don't make me angry, you don't want to see me when I'm angry!